Check writing or printing machine



Ap A. A. WAWRZYNIAK CHECK WRITING OR PRINTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 18 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet DO T N E v m ATTORNEYS April 7, 1931.

A. A. WAWRZYNIAK CHECK WRITING OR PRINTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 18, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ALA. wwynick,

ATTORNEYS April 7, 1931- A. IIIIAWRZYNIAK 1,800,125

CHECK WRITING OR PRINTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 18, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 WlTNE'SS INVENTOR WW 1 -A- flbwrgym'ak,

. /A W Pa ATTORF'FIYS April 7, 1931.

A. A. WAWRZYNIAK 1,800,125

CHECK WRITING OR PRINTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 18 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR M. A .A Ilrrrgym'ak,

Q ATTORNEYS April 7, 1931.

A. A. WAWRZYNIAK CHECK WRITING OR PRTNITNG MACHINE Filed Oct. 18, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet April 7, 1931.

A. A. WAWRZYNIAK CHECK WRTTTNG OR PRTNTTNG MACHINE Filed Oct. 18, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR AA. lfizwrz m'a Ir,

ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 7, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ALEX ADAM WAWRZYNIAK, F BERLIN, WISCONSIN CHECK WRITING OR.PRINTING MACHINE Application filed October 18, 1927. Serial No. 228,945.

My invention relates to check writing or check writing or printing mechanism.

The invention further provides a type setting mechanism wherein the type characters are advanced to engage selected depressed abutments and thereby line up or set the type incident to the check writing or printing op eration, but at a predetermined time period prior to this operation.

The invention also contemplates a check writing or printing machine wherein a predetermined type character, such as a dollar mark is automatically properly positioned at the side of the row of set type characters after the selective means has been operated to set the type.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a printing machine having a selecfive key board for setting or lining up predetermined type characters which are operated to normal position after the printing operationand having means for preventing automatic return of the type characters, thus permitting any number of checks containing the same printed subject matter to be printed if desired. v

With the preceding and further objects and advantages in mind the invention consists in the combination of elements, construc' tions. arrangement of parts and operations to be hereinafter specifically referred to, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. wherein,

Figure l-is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of a check writing or printing machine constructed in accordance with my invention,

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section taken on the line 33 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken on the line 44 of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a perspective of one of the type bars, 7

.Figure 6 is a fragmentary bottom plan View of one of the type bars,

Figure 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the same,

Figure 8 is a detail view partly in elevation and partly in section, 1

Figure 9 is a top plan view of the machine,

Figure 10 is a fragmentary perspective of a modified type surface and corresponding die surface, and

Figure 11 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 11-11 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the invention in detail a rectangular casing 5 of suitable dimension is provided and arranged horizontally therein is a rectangular plate 6, which is su ported by brackets 7 and 8 attached to the orward and rear edges of the plate and adjacent end walls of the casing by fastenings 9. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 3 the plate 6 is of such size as to extend adjacent the side and end walls of the casing.

A type carriage or frame 10 is provided having grooves 11 in the outer faces of its opposite sides which slidably engage lateral so extending rails or guides 12 extending from the side walls of the casing to support the frame for longitudinal movement in the casing. A plurality of arallel type bars 13 are slidably carried by t e frame 10. As illustrated in Figure 5leach of the type carrying bars comprises a rectangular body 14 of substantially the same length as the frame having a longitudinally extending shank 15 at one end. A T-shaped key or tongue 16 is I! formed on the upper face of each body which slidably engages the T-shaped slots or guides 17 in the rear end .-of the frame while the shanks of these type carrying bars slidably engage slots 18 in the opposite end of the frame, each of the latter being disposed in longitudinal alignment with one of the T- shaped slots 17. Type characters 19 ranging from 0 to 9 are provided on the under face of each of the bodies 13 and in order to mutilate the check the type character surface is formed with transversely extending curved grooves 20. Each of the bodies 14 carries an upstanding lug 21 for cooperation with a selective type setting mechanism to be here inafter described. T o normally cause the type bars to move with the frame and yet permit the former to move relative to the frame at a predetermined time, a spring pressed friction ball 22 mounted in a recess 23 in the forward end of the frame above each of the slots 18, is. provided. These spring pressed balls 22 are engageable in any one of a series of depressions 24 in the upper face of the shank 15. V

The invention provides a selective type setting mechanism for setting the predetermined type-characters in printing position which comprises a key board above the top wall of the casing 5 having rows of longitudinally aligned keys 25, each row being arranged in vertical alignment with one of the bodies 14 and numbered from 0 to 9 and corresponding to the type characters on these bodies.

The keys 25 are carried upon the upper ends of parallel Z-shaped levers 26 whose upper ends pass through openings 27 in the topwall of the casing and whose lower ends carry rectangular stops or abutments 28 vertically movable through vertical openings 29 in the plate 6 in longitudinal alignment with the lugs 21 so that these stops or abutments will be disposed in the path of movement of the lugs when the keys are depressed. To normally return the keys to elevated position contractile springs 30 are attached to the shanks adjacent: their upper ends and the top wall of the casing respectively.

In order to retain the abutments or stops in depressed position a latch bar 31 is provided for each row or line of stops or abutments 28. As illustrated in Figure 3 these latch bars extend longitudinally of the plate 6 and have their ends journalled in bearing plates 32 supported upon the upper face of this plate. A tapered longitudinal edge 31 is provided on each of these latch bars to project into notches or recesses 34in the ad 1acent faces of the abutments 28 and thereby lock the latter in depressed position as illustrated at the forward end of Figure 1. Contractile springs 35 engage the latch bars to normally urge them in a direction to engage the notches 34. In order to prevent the lower ends of the elevated stops or abutments from contacting with the latch bars and hence hinder the engagementof these latch bars with the notches 34 in the depressed ahutments, a recess 33a is provided in each of the abutments below its notch 34 whose rear walls are rounded to permit the latch bars to move into and out of the same.

Actuating means for the machine is provided comprising a. rock shaft 38 passing transversely through the casing with its end journalled in bearings 39 and carrying a crank handle 40 upon one end. Fixed to the rock shaft 38 and disposed at opposite sides of the casing is apair of swinging arms 41 whose upper ends are pivotally connected to the rear endsof links 42, the latter having their forward ends pivotally connected with parallel swinging arms 44 intermediate their ends. These parallel swinging arms 44 extend at an angle with respect to the vertical with their lower ends pivoted to ears 45 carried at the opposite sides of the frame 10 and having longitudi nal slots 46 adjacent their upper ends which 'pivotally and slidably engage lateral studs 47 projecting from the side walls of the casmg.

To automatically set a predetermined character, such as a dollar mark in close proximity to the extreme left printed character on a check, or the like. a type element 48 bearing this dollar mark is slidably mounted in a channel shaped guide 49 carried at the left of the frame and extending at right angles to the type bars. In order to bring this type character 48 in close proximity to the character at the left of the check the under faces of the type bars are provided with transverse grooves 49 in which the type element 48 is longitudinally movable. Normally the bodies 14 are in transverse alignment but when a combination of type bars have been actuated to bring a plurality of type characters into printing position the transverse grooves of these set type bars will be out of alignment with those that have not been disturbed, permitting the type element 48 to be moved through the registering grooves of the undisturbed type bars until its forward end abuts the nearest one of the i .jectingtrigger 51ais pivoted .upon the lower, end of the pin 50a andv projects into the path of a lateral lug 52 on the inner face of one of the'side walls of-the casing. A lateral finger 53 is formed with the forward end of "the lever'fiO'and carries a longitudibi) I lit) riers.

nally curved shank 54; passing through an opening 55 in the trigger. An expansible coil spring 56 encircles this shank and engages the linger 53 and trigger.

A leaf sprinf 49a is carried by the carriage and bears against the lever 50to normally urge the same away from the type bars.

From the description thus far given it follows that upon forward longitudinal movement of the type carrying frame 10 incident to the actuation of the crank handle 40 the type bars will move forwardly with the frame until their lugs 21 abut abutments 28 of the selected depressed keys, thus lining up or setting a plurality of predetermined type car- The movement of the frame is so timed that subsequent to the setting of the last type bar at the left of a selected group the trigger 51a will engage the stop 52 as disclosed in Figure 2 and swung rearwardly to the position disclosed in Figure 4. This movement of the trigger compresses the spring 56 so that movement of the trigger wvill be transmitted to the lever 50 through the finger 53 and thereby swing the lever inwardly towards the type bars and advance the type elements 48 (it) through the aligned Igransverse grooves in the undisturbed type ars.

Supported within the casing and extending from its front wall to a point adjacent its rear wall and underlyin the carriage or frame is a horizontally disposed U-shaped check support and guide 59, the front or open end of which registers with an entrance slot 60 in the front wall of the casing; An opening 61 extending transversely of the upper leg of the U-shaped member 59 is provided with which the set type characters register while a registering opening 62 is provided in its lower leg through which a movable die element 63 carried by a horizontally disposed pivoted lever 64, is vertically movable, to press the check against the set type characters.

As illustrated in Figure 1 the free end of the lever 64 is provided with a semi-circular seat 65 normally embracing the rock shaft 38, and a cam element 66 is carried by this rock shaft below the free end of the lever and arranged to lift the free end of the lever upon rotation of the rock shaft to press the die and check against the type, producing a mutilated impression of the selected type characters therein.

To co-act with the curved grooved surface 20 of the type bars in mutilating the check the upper face of the die is formed with transversely curved ridges or ribs 68 which interfit with the grooves 20 when the die is actuated to printing position.

Subsequent to each check writing or printing operation the depressed keys with their abutments are returned to elevated position and the type bars returned to normal position. For this purpose a trip rod 69 transversely movable on the plate 6 in a recess 70 therein is provided, the trip rod having a plurality of upstanding trip fingers 71 each of which is disposed at one side of one of the latch bars 31. To automatically shift the trip rod upon return movement of the carriage or frame 10 to normal position a bell crank lever 71 is pivotally supported on the frame with one leg disposed in the path of movement of the outer end of the trip rod and its opposite end extended laterally from the frame and resiliently connected therewith by means of a contractile spring 72.

Pro e'cting within the casing from one wall thereof and disposed in longitudinal alignment with the resiliently held leg of the bell crank-71 and adapted to be engaged by this leg is a stop 73 having a shank 74 passing through a slot 7 5 in the casing provided with a knurled nut 76. Normally the stop is locked at the forward end of the slot by means of the knurled nut, but should it be desired to render the trip bar inoperative and allow the type to remain set as is necessary when printing a number of checks of the same amount, the stop is shifted to the extreme rear end of the slot where the projecting rear leg of the bell crank will not engage it.

To provide for the manual return of incorrectly depressed keys a correction key 77 I is slidable through the top wall of the casing slightly to one side of each of the latch bars 31 and has an enlarged lateral head 78 upon its lower end, which upon depression of the key, the corresponding latch bar will be rocked against the tension of the springs, disengaging it from the notch of the incorrectly depressed key.

In the operation of the machine a check or other paper is inserted within the check guide or support 59 until the blank space thereon is disposed above the die 63, and the selected keys 25 depressed lowering their abutments 28 into the path of movement of the lugs 21 on selected type bars. The rock shaft 38 is now rocked in a counter-clockwise direction by means of the crank handle 40 shifting the carriage or frame with the type bars forwardly until the lugs 21 engage the depressed abutments 28. At this time type characters on the stopped type bars corresponding to the in'dicia on the depressed keys is set or lined up directly above the opening 61. When the last type bar of'a selected group has been actuated the carrier or frame will have reached a position where the bell crank 50 engages the stop 52, actuating th'e bell crank, to shift the type character a8 transversely to line itup with the other selected type characters.

Slightly subsequent to the setting of the type character 48 the cam 66 lifts the lever 6 f pressing the die and check against the lined type characters producing an impression of the same in the check. The carriage or frame is now moved rearwardly by operating crank handle in a clockwise direction and as it approaches the stop 7 3, the pro ecting arm of the bell crank 7i strikes t 1s stop swin ing its other arm against the trlp rod, shifting the latter transversely to cause its finger 71 to engage and swing the latch bars, disengaging them from the notches 34. in th eir abutments and allowing the depressed keys to be returned to aligned position by the ac.- tion of the contractile spring 30. During this return movement of the type carrying frame the bell crank 50 is returned to normal position, retracting the type element 48 into its guide 49.

Should 't be desired to print a number of checks of the same amount the stop 73 is moved rearwardly in its slot thus preventing actuation of the bell crank 71 and trip rod 69. It will be observed that should the operator strike an incorrect key this key may be readily returned to normal position b thrusting downwardly upon its correspon ing correction key 77.

I claim:-

1. In a printing machine, a base, a plurality of slidably mounted type characters supported thereon, a pivoted die supported beneath the type characters, a rock shaft operable to set selected type characters in printing position, and an element fixed to the rock shaft and engageable with the die to move the same against the selected type characters subsequent to the type setting operation.

2. In a printing machine, a base, a plurality of slidably mounted type elements supported thereon, selective means for limiting the movement of predetermined t e characters in one direction, a movable die below the type elements, a rock shaft having operalive connection with the type elements whereby to shift the latter against the selective means and set the selected type characters in printin position, and an e ement fixed to the rock s aft and engageable with the die to move the same against the selected type characters subsequent to the type setting operation.

3. In a printing machine, a casing, a type carriage slidably supported therein, means for moving the carriage including a rock shaft, a plurality of type bars slidably carried by the carnage and each having a plurality of type characters thereon, selective depressible abutments arranged to be dis posed in the path of movement of selected type bars to limit their movement and thereby set the predetermined type characters in printing position, a cam element fixed to the rock shaft, a movable die element supported in opposed relation to the type characters and moved against the set type characters by the cam element subsequent to the type setting operation.

4. In a printing machine, a casing, a type carriage slidably supported therein, a plurality of type bars slidably carried by the carriage and each having'a row of type characters thereon, selective depressible abutments arranged to be disposed in the path of movement of selected type bars to limit their movement and thereby set predetermined type characters in printing position, a movable die element opposed to the set type characters, means for shifting the carriage carriage, and an individual type character 8 automatically set subsequent to the setting of the selective type characters incident to the movement of the carriage in one direction.

6. In a printing machine, a casing, a type carriage slidably mounted in the casing, selectively set type characters carried by the carriage, and an individual type character automatically set subsequent to the setting of the selective type characters incident to the movement of the carriage in one direction, and means operable to return all of the type characters to normal position upon movement of the carriage in the opposite direction.

7. In a printing machine, a casing, a type carriage slidably mounted therein, type ele ments carried by the carriage and adjustable to set position longitudinally of the casing, selective means co-operating with the movement of the carriage in one direction in setting the type elements, an individual type element also carried by the carriage and movable at right angles to the path of movement of the latter, means automatically operable to set the individual type element after the selected type elements have been set upon movement of the carriage in one directionand operable to retract the individual type element upon movement of the carriage in the reverse direction, and means permitting the return of the selective means and set type characters to normal position incident to such reverse movement of the carriage.

8. In a printing machine, a casing, a slidably mounted type carriage arranged therein, type characters carried by the carriage and adapted to be selectively set, an'individual type character slidably mounted at one side of the carriage, a pivoted lever mounted on the type carriage and having operative connection with the individual type character, means operable to swing the lever in one direction to project the individual type character to set position incident to the movement of the type carriage in one direction and subsequent to the setting of the selected type characters, such means being operable to swing the lever in a direction to retract the individual type character upon movement of the type carriage in the reverse direction.

9. In a printing machine, a longitudinally movable carriage, a plurality of type bars slidably associated with the carriage, a pivotally supported die element below the type bars, and means operable to shift the carriage to set predetermined type characters in printing position opposite the die and to ellect the printing operation including a shaft upon which the die rests, and an element iixed to the shaft and operable to press the die element against the type after the latter has been arranged in printing position.

10. In a printing machine, a longitudinally movable carriage,a plurality of type bars slidably associated therewith and each have ing a plurality of type characters thereon, seleetive means limiting the movement of the type bars, a die element having one end pivotally supported, and an actuating mechanism operable to shift the carriage to set predetermined type'in printing position and subsequently move the die into printing engagement with the set type including a rock shaft upon which the free end of the die rests.

11. In a machine of the character described a casing, a longitudinally shiftable carriage mounted therein, a plurality of type bars slidably connected with the carriage, an upstanding lug carried by each type bar, a plurality of vertically movable depressible ele' ments supported above each bar, any selected "one of which being operable to extend in the path. of the lug of its corresponding type bar whereby to line up predetermined type characters, and spring pressed elements carried by the carriage and engaging the type bars to cause them to normally move with the carriage.

12. In a machine of the character described,

' a casing, a longitudinally shiftable carriage mounted therein, a plurality of type bars slidably connected with the carriage, an upstanding lug carried by each type bar, to set the type a plurality of vertically movable depressible elements supported above each bar, any selected one of which being operable to extend in the path of the lug of its corre sponding type bar whereby to line up predetermined type characters, a manually operable rook shaft journalled in the casing and having operative connection with the carriage whereby to shift the latter longitudinally in-the casing, a vertically movable die below the type bars, and a lifting element on the rock shaft and operable to move the die against the type bars subsequent to the shifting of the carriage inone direction.

13. In a machine of the character described, a casing, a pair of swinging arms mounted at opposite sides of the casing, a carriage supported-by the arms, type bars mounted on the carriage,'means for causing the type bars to occupy a position Where selected type will be lined up incident to movement of the carriage in one direction, a rock shaft journaled in the casing and having operative connection with the swinging arms, and a die mounted below the type bars and moved into engagement with the latter by the rock shaft subsequent to the type setting operation ALEX ADAM VVAWRZYNIAK. 

